A Brief Explanation of the Whole Book of Proverbs, Title page – Dedication
A BRIEFE EXPLANATION OF THE WHOLE BOOKE of the Prouerbs of Salomon.
By ROBERT CLEAVER.
PARNASSO ET APOLLINE DIGNA
AT LONDON Imprinted by FELIX KYNGSTON for Thomas Man, and Rafe Iackſon. 1615.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL THOMAS CREVV Eſquier, grace, merciemercy, and peace be multiplied in Ieſus Chriſt.
SIR, hauing been certaine yeeres ſince, more preſt, and forward to offer our ſelues to be doing then duly conſiderate what a burdenous taske wee ſhould vndergoe, one of vsus vndertook the explication of the Prouerbs of Salomon, and the other to further the ſame by inſpection, and aſſiſtance in difficult & doubtfull places, when need ſhould require. But we found it a matter of greater trauell, and longer labour then we thought of, and hauehave met with ſuch interruptions as we had iuſt cauſe to looke for, but did not ſufficiently foreſee: for (beſides that the book is wholly ſententious, and the vnfolding of ſentences requireth breuitie, and perſpicuitie, with …ruth, and ſoundnes, which cannot be attained vntounto without mature deliberation and ſtudie) the Lord himſelfe did ſtop our paſſage with his owne hand, for a ſeaſon, by viſiting one of vsus, euen him who was to doe the worke, and ſuſtaine the burthen of the buſineſſe, with ſuch defect of health and ſight, as did actually prohibite our courſe of proceeding. But now (by his good hand) that let being remoued and his aſſiſtance ministred vntounto vsus, we at the laſt hauehave waded thorow the booke, or rather hauehave ſwomme ouer it: for it is ſo profound and deepe with perfect excellencie, that neither we, or any man elſe can diue to the bottome of it. Salomon himſelfe was farre too low of ſtature, and not tall enough in vnderſtanding, euen (when he knew moſt) to ſtand in it, and hold vp his head aboue the myſticall waters of admirable wiſedome, although his tongue did ſpeake it, and his hand penne it. We hauehave by due conſideration with our ſelues, and iudicious aduice from our wiſe and learned brethren, proceeded in a courſe different from our beginning, labouring only to make the text as plaine and conſpicuous, as wee could in ſo few words, without our former additions of Doctrines and Vſes. For we ſaw the time would be long before we could finiſh the worke: the printing would be chargeable, if wee ſhould liue to bring it to the preſſe: the boo…es would be deare to ſuch as ſhould buy them: and the paines would be tedious to thoſe which ſhould reade them: and albeit ſome might hauehave more benefit by ſo large a volume, yet more may hauehave ſome benefit by this compendious contriuall: for the very knowledge of the right ſenſe of the Scriptures (which in this marke we chiefly aime at) is very commodious in ſundrie reſpects, and the ground-worke of all pietie. That maketh Miniſters to be fruitfull Preachers: that maketh priuate perſons to be profitable hearers: that yeeldeth matter of wholeſome meditation to the minde: that putteth vigour of good affections into the heart: that miniſtreth ſtore of vſefull ſpeeches to the lippes, and that prepareth a way for faith, for repentance, and all internall graces and externall obedience to the whole man. The want hereof is the cauſe why the words of God are ſo much by ſome peruerted publikely to ſuch purpoſes, as the holy Ghoſt neuer intended, both preſſes, and pulpits (which is with teares to be lamented) ſending out ſo many erroneous writings, and ſayings, for the confirmation of ſeperation, ſuperstition, iniustice, ſenſuall lusts, and all manner of licentiouſnes: and why being by others ſoundly alleaged they are ſo greatly mistaken, and worke no better effects in thoſe to whom they are preached. For this cauſe wee hauehave not been altogether remiſſe in ſearching out, and ſounding the ſenſe of eueryevery ſentence of this booke, or in pondering the force of eueryevery word which may ſeeme to carrie ſome weight, ſo farre as our knowledge, or meanes would extend: but if the learned of better iudgement ſhall any where finde vsus failing, let them bee pleaſed to make it appeare vntounto vsus, and wee doe promiſe not to ſtand wilfully, or peremptorily in any error, but to be attentiue to their reaſons, and reformable in our opinions. What wee hauehave done herein, we thinke it our dutie to recommend as a testimonie of our louelove to your Worſhips patronage, not doubting but that you will diligently reade, and wiſely iudge of it, as you doe of other bookes of this nature, notwithstanding your manifold and weightie imployments otherwiſe. Wee reſt aſſured of your charitable minde, that without offence you will beare with our homely kinde of writing, although it be deuoid of all poliſhment, and elegancy, conſidering that we make but an expoſition to informe the iudgement in the meaning of the Scripture, and not a diſcourſe to work vponupon affections: it is ſufficient that the foundation ſtones lying in the ground, bee firme, and ſtable, although not beautifully hewen, carued, or grauen. The ſentences which we explaine are excellent as well for matter, as manner, and defectiue in nothing that may giuegive ſatisfaction to the beſt qualified, and moſt compleate Christian in the world. Wiſe readers therefore (we doubt not) will be intreated to content their eyes with the bright and ſhining beames thereof, that they may not neede to require any exact perfection in this our dimme and duskiſh Commentarie. A plaine iron key will ſerue for good vſe, to vnloc…e the doore of a golden treaſurie. The marke that we aime at herein is the glorie of God, and the edification of his ſeruants, and not our owne praiſe and commendation for eloquence. And thus with remembrance of our dutie, referring the whole worke to your wiſe and louing conſideration, wee commit you and your gracious yoke-fellow to the bleſſed protection of God Almightie, beſeeching him daily more and more to multiplie all his graces and mercies vponupon your ſelfe, and yours. Draiton this 10. of May 1615.
Your Worſhips in all dutie to be commanded,
IOHN DOD.
ROBERT CLEAVER.